Ranchi, Jan. 29, 2023: Swami Chidananda Giri, revered president and spiritual head of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India/ Self-Realization Fellowship (YSS/SRF), dedicated several new facilities at Yogoda Satsanga Educational Campus in Jagannathpur, Ranchi, on January 29, in the presence of dignitaries, monastics, devotees, and the teachers and students of the institutes.
The new facilities include a large Auditorium-cum- Multipurpose Hall Building for the Yogoda Satsanga Mahavidyalaya, and a state-0f-the-art new school premises for the Yogoda Satsanga Vidyalaya.
The design of the new school premises is based on the ancient Gurukul principles espoused by Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda (author of “Autobiography of a Yogi,” and revered as a jagadguru for taking India’s Kriya Yoga teachings to the world), such as the concept of teaching students in open environs that are in close proximity to nature. The new school premises include well-ventilated classrooms, laboratories, an NCC building, and an administrative building, among others. This modern school campus will be used by students from the economically underprivileged sections of society.
Built with Government Support
In 2018, the National Implementation Committee, operating under the Ministry of Culture, wanted to honour and commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of Paramahansa Yoganandaji by helping YSS undertake several schemes and programmes for spreading the teachings and ideals of this great spiritual son of India. One of the initiatives under this scheme was to upgrade the educational facilities of the YSS school and college at Jagannathpur, Ranchi. The Ministry of Culture of Government of India sanctioned Rs 8 Crores for this project. The remaining portion of the total cost of this project was borne by YSS through generous donations from devotees.
“The ideal of right education for youth had always been very close to Sri Paramahansa Yoganandaji’s heart”, said Swami Chidanandaji, adding, “He saw clearly the arid results of ordinary instructions, aimed at the development of body and intellect only. Moral and spiritual values, without whose appreciation no man can approach happiness, he found lacking in the formal curriculum. Yoganandaji, therefore, determined to found a school where young boys could develop to the full stature of manhood by the balanced development of body, mind, and soul.”
Swamiji said: “It brings us great joy that this modern state-of-the-art school campus will almost entirely be used for the benefit of the economically underprivileged section of the local populace of Ranchi.”
The new school complex is a big step forward in taking the gift of quality education to those most in need of such a facility, but lacking the means to fulfill this fundamental need.
“Efforts have been made to retain the greenery in the campus, and construct with minimal loss on that front. Rather, the new classrooms have been built with a unique blend of the ancient and the modern,” senior YSS sannyas,i Swami Ishwarananda Giri, shared the details of the new construction, adding, “These have been equipped with robust furniture and new computers; new laboratories have been constructed for conducting practicals of the science subjects; a midday meal building and cycle shed has been constructed as well for the health and convenience of the students.”
The new buildings are now ready for use and await the footsteps of eager children to come and start afresh their school journey with Yogoda Satsanga Vidyalaya and Mahavidyalaya.
